Portable self-priming pump construction



F; FEITH ETAL Aug. 16, 1966 PORTABLE SELF-PRIMING PUMP CONSTRUCTION 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 19, 1964 INVENTORS Frank FEITH William VALAVAARA ATTORNEY Aug. 16,1966

F. FEITH ETAL PORTABLE SELF-PRIMING PUMP CONSTRUCTION '-5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 19, 1964 INVENTORS Frank FEITH William VALAVAARA ATTORNEY 16, 1966 F. FEITH ETAL 3,266,428

PORTABLE SELF-PRIMING PUMP CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 19, 1964 a Shams-sheet a g /5 524. 2/ J I z M [mi 111 3 45 I i'WI'I'I'I'I'I'I'F" INVENTORS Frlmk FEITH William VALAVAARA ATTORNEY United States Patent PORTABLE SELF-PRIIVIING PUMP CONSTRUCTION Frank Feith, St. Lambert, Quebec, and William Valavaara,

Ville La Salle, Quebec, Canada, assignors to Terry Machinery Company, a Division of Textron Canada Limited, Montreal, Quebec, Canada FiledFeb. 19, 1964, Ser. No. 345,964 Claims. (Cl. 103113) The present invention relates to an improved pump construction'and more specifically to an improved construction of a liquid pump of the self-priming centrifugal type embodying a bladed impeller in a volute pumping chamber.

The present invention is primarily concerned with pumps of this nature which are of the portable type which are generally assembled with a small internal combustion engine as a complete portable unit provided with a base or skid so that it can be readily set up where required. Units of this nature are used mainly for outdoor Work, for example, for firefighting or by contractors for the pumping of excavations or the like. Accordingly, it is a main requirement for a pump of this nature to be sturdy, easily maintained and serviced in the field and further to have the capacity to handle water which may contain a high percentage of mud, rocks or other foreign materials without blocking or jamming.

These and other problems are well known to the applicants and it is with this in mind that the present pump construction was designed. to provide a relatively simple pumpingapparatus which would operate efiiciently under the adverse conditions mentioned and which could be serviced in the field with a minimum of tools and without special equipment. ,Accordingly, the invention is embodied in a self-priming centrifugal pump which consists essentially of a main pump body made as a two-part casing, a bladed impeller and a rubbing plate for the impeller which also acts as the dividing wall between the impeller chamber and a main water retaining chamber.

The pump body castings are made as a first section having therein the impeller chamber and portions of the water passages leading to and from the impeller chamber with the other and larger casting being formed to provide the water retaining chamber and the main water inlet and outlet passages to the pump. These pump portions are adapted for bolted interconnection one with the other with a suitable gasket therebetween with the impeller rubbing' plate being retained in a recess provided about the periphery of the impeller chamber by this interconnection.

V A feature of the present construction resides in the fact that there are no bearings in the pump body. The first section of the pump body is designed for direct connection to an internal combustion engine so that the driving shaft of the motor extends within the impeller chamber to act as the supporting shaft for the impeller. A spring biased shaft seal is provided in the interior of the first pump portion attached to the engine and means are provided for water circulation about the shaft for cooling purposes.

Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, particular reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration a preferred embodiment thereof, and in which: FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective elevation of a selfpriming pump construction in accordance with the invention as it would appear in operative condition mounted on an internal combustion engine as an operating unit.

Patented August 16, 1966 ICE FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of the construction of FIGURE 1 along the line 22 showing the first pump section containing the impeller chamber, with the impeller shown by partial breaking away of the covering impeller rubbing plate.

FIGURE 3 is an exploded view in perspective elevation of the four main elements making up the pump construction of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a front view of the pump construction shown in FIGURE 1 with the relative positions of fluid conducting passages and impeller shown in dotted lines.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of the assembled pump construction of FIGURE 1 as shown along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view of the assembled pump construction of FIGURE 1 as seen along the line 66 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged detail view partially in section to illustrate the sealing arrangement surrounding the driving shaft.

With particular reference to FIGURE 1, the pump construction of the invention is shown as being operatively mounted on an internal combustion engine A mounted on a supporting base B. The combined pump and engine are adapted for carrying by a handle C mounted on and extending upwardly from the top of the engine A.

The present pump construction indicated generally at 10 is made up of four (4) main components namely a first casing portion 12, a second casing portion 14, an impeller rubbing plate 16 having an opening 16a, and an impeller 18, see FIGURE 3. In addition, a sealing gasket 20 is utilized between the casing portion 12 and 14 and a shaft sealing unit 22 is utilized to prevent escape of liquid at the attachment point between the pump impeller portion and the shaft D of the engine A.

As previously mentioned the pump casing portions 12, 14 are preferably made as castings with the first portion 12 being adapted for attachment to the engine A by a cylindrical extension 21 which is provided with attachment lugs 23. The casing portion 12 is also provided with internal recesses forming the impeller chamber 25, the continuing fluid passage 26 through which the fluid from the impeller is discharged, and the end portion of a fluid entry passage 54.

The impeller 18 is also preferably made as a casting having on one surface thereof a plurality of blades 19 with their impelling surfaces positioned at substantially right angles to a backing plate 27 in an outwardly curved arrangement with the outer tips substantially flush wth the edge of the plate 27 and their inner tips circumferentially and radially spaced one from the other to provide the impeller eye or intake 28. The opposite surface of the impeller plate 27 is provided with a cylindrical extension 29 which is adapted to loosely fit within the cylindrical boring 30 provided in the casing portion 12 to accommodate the shaft D of the engine. As shown in enlarged detail in FIGURE 7 the impeller extension 29 is bored and tapped as indicated at 31 to receive the corresponding threaded-end of the shaft D, with the shaft sealing assembly 22 being mounted within the casing portion boring 30 so as to bear against the inner surface of a shoulder 32, provided in the boring 30, and the outer end of the impeller extension 29. The shaft seal arrangement shown is of a known commercial variety and includes sealing rings 40, 41 maintained in resiliently biased spaced relationship by a spring 42 fitting over an inner sleeve 43 surrounding the shaft D. The impeller 18 is locked on the shaft D by a locking screw 44 mounted in a suitably tapped central opening 45 in the impeller and additional space openings 46 are provided through the impeller back plate 27 for the purpose of water circulating about the shaft sealing assembly within the casing boring 30.

As shown most clearly in FIGURE 3 for example, the impeller chamber 25 formed in the pump portion 12 is bordered by an inwardly extending shoulder or setback 47 into which the impeller rubbing plate 16 is adapted to fit snugly to complete the impeller chamber and to partition the interior of the pump casing portion 12 from the interior of the second portion 14 with the exceptions of the fluid discharge passage 26, and of course the central portion of the impeller 18 to which the fluid is delivered through the opening 16a. When the pump is assembled up to this point the interior of the casing will appear as shown in FIGURE 2 wherein a portion of the impeller rubbing plate 16 is broken away to show the impeller 18, impeller chamber 25 and the rubbing plate shoulder 47.

The second portion of the casing 14, as shown most clearly in FIGURES 3, 5 and 6 is provided with a main internal recess forming a liquid retaining chamber 50 with an inner cylindrical extension 52 having spaced Webs 52a, 52b extending therefrom to define the major portion of the fluid entry passage 54. The casing portion 14 is provided with outstanding bosses 55, 56 on its upper surface with the boss being drilled and tapped to constitute an exterior entry 51 to the fluid entry passage 54 which is normally closed by a threaded plug 57 and is used only for priming purposes in the event that the pump is drained, say for transportation or storage.

A main fluid entry opening 58 is provided in the casing wall at the upper end of the fluid entry passage 54 and this is surrounded by a tapped fixture 60 adapted to receive a threaded nipple 61. The fixture 60 is mounted on the side wall of the casing portion 14 by suitable bolts 62, as shown in FIGURE 1. A one way check valve 63 is installed within the fixture 60 as shown in FIGURE 5 to permit the flow of fluid into, but not out of, the fluid inlet passage 56. In order that fluid delivered to the entry passage 54 can pass through the cylindrical extension 52 an opening 53 is provided in the sidewall portion surrounded by the webs 52a, 52b, see FIGURE 5 and broken portion of FIGURE 1. A further cylindrical extension of the extension 52 is bored axially to provide a passage for priming liquid from the bottom of the main liquid chamber 50, see FIGURES 5 and 6.

The interior of the casing portion 14 is also provided with a further partitioning web 72 which defines the major portion of the fluid discharge passage 26 but, it is to be noted, does not extend to the inner face of the casing portion 14. This means that when the casing portions are assembled a gap or opening 73 is left between the end of the web 72 and the top of the impeller rubbing plate 16, see FIGURE 6. This opening 73 permits a portion of the water being discharged from the impeller 18 out of the discharge passage 26 to pass into the main fluid chamber 50 ensuring that it is full at all times for self-priming if the pump should be stopped and restarted when in operation. As previously mentioned the casing portion 14 is provided with an outstanding boss 56 and this is bored and tapped, as indicated at 56, to provide an entry to the fluid outlet passage 26. In the construction shown an outlet elbow 74 is inserted in the boss 56 to provide a means of coupling. It should also be noted that the casing portion 14 is provided with an outstanding boss 75 centrally of its lower portion and this is bored and tapped to provide a clean-out passage to the lower portion of the fluid retaining chamber which is normally plugged by a threaded clean-out plug 76, see FIGURES 5 and 6.

To complete the pump assembly, bolts are inserted through the openings 82 provided about the outer flange 4 of the casing portion 12 which is assembled as shown in FIGURE 2, the sealing gasket 20 placed in position and the pump casing portion 14 placed in face-to-face relationship with the portion 12 and drawn together in sealing contact by the bolts 80 fitting in corresponding tapped openings 81 in the portion 14. The pump assembly is then in operative condition as shown in FIG- URE 1.

Operation In use, and assuming that the liquid chamber 50 con tains sufficient liquid to prime the impeller 18 either from previous use, or by priming through the priming opening 51, rotation of the impeller 18 causes circulation of the liquid from the fluid chamber 50 withdrawing air from the entry passage 54 and creating a suction drawing fluid into the fluid chamber until it is completely filled at which time the fluid will then be expelled through the discharge passage 26 and out of the elbow 74.

If the inlet supply of fluid diminishes to a point where it is not suflicient to completely fill the chamber 50 the fluid from the chamber 50 will continue to circulate from chamber 50 to discharge passage 26 and returns through the gap 73 into the chamber 50 maintaining the priming level.

As will be obvious by reference to the preceding description and accompanying drawings, the pump construction of the invention embodies many advantages which are inherent in its relatively simple rugged design. The semi-open type impeller 18 provides large clearance allowing for the passage of mud and solids; there are no bearings in the pump since the impeller is mounted directly in the engine crankshaft; and the shaft sealing device provides fluid cooling to the shaft Without the use of packing or grease with no adjustment being necessary.

We claim:

1. A self-priming .bearingless centrifugal pump construction adapted for direct driving connection to the housing and driving shaft of an internal combustion engine, comprising a two piece pump body having a first major body portion having therein a fluid retaining chamber and a second lesser body portion having therein an impeller chamber, a bladed impeller having a hub and a central intake, said impeller mounted in said impeller chamber and being adapted for direct connection to said engine shaft, a flat impeller plate mounted between the said first and second pumpbody portions to constitute a partition between said fluid retaining and impeller chambers with an opening aligned with said impeller intake, a fluid entry passage in said first body portion leading from the exterior of said body to the opening of said impeller plate, a fluid discharge passage having a first portion within said first body portion and a continuing second portion within said second body portion and leading from said impeller chamber to the exterior of said body, said fluid entry passage being partitioned from said fluid discharge passage and from said fluid retaining chamber with the exception of a relatively small passage leading into said fluid retaining chamber for priming purposes, said fluid discharge passage being interrupted by an open port leading into said fluid retaining chamber above the said discharge end of said impeller, said body second portion having a cylindrical extension having therein an axial recess accommodating said hub portion of said impeller and a connecting portion of said engine drive shaft and means on the outer end of said cylindrical extension adapted for direct connection to said internal combustion engine housing.

2. A self-priming bearingless centrifugal pump construction as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second pump body portions are provided with matching faces in the plane of said flat impeller plate, a sealing gasket disposed between said joining surfaces, and con necting means extending between said first and second pump body portions and through said sealing gasket.

3. A self-priming bearingless centrifugal pump construction as claimed in claim 1 wherein the interior surface of said second pump body portion surrounding said impeller chamber is recessed inwardly and said flat impeller plate is mounted in said recess.

4. A self-priming bearingless centrifugal pump construction as claimed in claim 1 including sealing means surrounding said shaft portion connected to said impeller hub.

'5. A self-priming bearingless centrifugal pump construction as claimed in claim 1 wherein said impeller hub is provided with a threaded axial recess and said engine shaft port-ion is threadably engaged in said impeller hub, said impeller having a centrally located lock- References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Bird 10-3--113 Murphy 103113 Longenecker 103113 Jones 103113 Lipe et a1. 103111 Eggleston 103-113 Mann et a1. 1031l3 Hunter 103103 MARK NEWMAN, Primary Examiner.

HENRY F. RADUAZO, Examiner.

ing screw hearing on the end of said engine drive shaft 15 threaded portion.

SAMUEL LEVINE, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A SELF-PRIMING BEARINGLESS CENTRIFUGAL PUMP CONSTRUCTION ADAPTED FOR DIRECT DRIVING CONNECTION TO THE HOUSING AND DRIVING SHAFT OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE, COMPRISING A TWO PIECE PUMP BODY HAVING A FIRST MAJOR BODY PORTION HAVING THEREIN A FLUID RETAINING CHAMBER AND A SECOND LESSER BODY PORION HAVING THEREIN AN IMPELLER CHAMBER, A BLADED IMPELLER HAVING A HUB AND CENTRAL INTAKE, SAID IMPELLER MOUNTED IN SAID IMPELLER CHAMBER AND BEING ADAPTED FOR DIRECT CONNECTION TO SAID ENGINE SHAFT, A FLAT IMPELLER PLATE MOUNTED BETWEEN THE SAID FIRST AND SECOND PUMP BODY PORTIONS TO CONSTITUTE A PARTITION BETWEEN SAID FLUID RETAINING AND IMPELLER CHAMBERS WITH AN OPENING ALIGNED WITH SAID IMPELLER INTAKE, A FLUID ENTRY PASSAGE IS SAID FIRST BODY PORTION LEADING FROM THE EXTERIOR OF SAID BODY TO THE OPENING OF SAID IMPELLER PLATE, A FLUID DISCHARGE PASSAGE HAVING A FIRST PORTION WITHIN SAID FIRST BODY PORTION AND A CONTINUING SECOND PORTION WITHIN SAID SECOND BODY PORTION AND LEADING FROM SAID IMPELLER CHAMBER TO THE EXTERIOR OF SAID BODY, SAID FLUID ENTRY PASSAGE BEING PARTITIONED FROM SAID FLUID DISCHARGE PASSAGE AND FROM SAID FLUID RETAINIING CHAMBER WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A RELATIVELY SMALL PASSAGE LEADING INTO SAID FLUID RETAINING CHAMBER FOR PRIMING PURPOSES, SAID FLUID DISCHARGE PASSAGE BEING INTERRUPTED BY AN OPEN PORT LEADING INTO SAID FLUID RETAINING CHAMBER ABOVE THE SAID DISCHARGE END OF SAID IMPELLER, SAID BODY SECOND PORTION HAVING A CYLINDRICAL EXTENSION HAVING THEREIN AN AXIAL RECESS ACCOMMODATING SAID HUB PORTION OF SAID IMPELLER AND CONNECTING PORTION OF SAID ENGINE DRIVE SHAFT AND MEANS ON THE OUTER END OF SAID CYLINDRICAL EXTENSION ADAPTED FOR DIRECT CONNECTION TO SAID INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE HOUSING 